Police chief overseeing beleaguered Saskatchewan force paid $430K after retirement
“I would of course not always want to pay out like that, and it makes it a little tough for our budget as a police commission, but it was what it was,” she said.
Documents reveal that Jonathan Bergen, the former chief of a troubled Saskatchewan police service, received nearly $430,000 upon his retirement.
The records indicate that Bergen was paid $429,241 in 2023, a sum significantly higher than his $200,626 earnings in 2022 and his $219,044 salary in 2021 while serving as chief of police in Prince Albert, the province’s third-largest city with a population of approximately 38,000, located north of Saskatoon.
Janet Carriere, chair of the Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners, informed The Canadian Press that Bergen’s payout was stipulated in his contract. She did not provide details on the contract but mentioned that such provisions are standard practice.
“I wouldn’t always want to make payments like that, and it does strain our budget as a police commission, but it was what it was,” Carriere said. “We’ve hired a new police chief. We’ve moved past the previous issues and are focused on improving the service.”
Bergen retired in May 2023 on the same day that a Public Complaints Commission report revealed two officers failed to fulfill their duties before the death of a toddler. The report found that the officers, who had responded to a domestic violence call in 2022, did not check on 13-month-old Tanner Brass’s well-being, leaving him “vulnerable and in danger” with his father.
The father, Kaij Brass, was sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter in February.
Bergen had suspended the officers with pay and requested an investigation into the matter a year prior to the report’s release. He stated that this led to severe criticism, personal attacks, and harassment against his family. Bergen decided to retire after 25 years to avoid any appearance of bias in potential further investigations or disciplinary actions.
Chief Patrick Nogier, who succeeded Bergen, reported this week that the suspended officers returned to work on remedial measures in November. Since then, one officer has resigned, and the other has been removed from active duty due to internal issues.
Nogier mentioned that Bergen’s payout did not significantly impact the policing budget and expressed a desire to move forward.
Nolan Carter, president of the city’s police union, criticized Bergen for creating deep divisions within the organization but declined to comment on the payout. Carter also found it “very odd” that the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority hired Bergen post-retirement. The authority, responsible for regulating alcohol, cannabis, and most gambling in the province, lists Bergen as a manager with gaming integrity and licensing but did not provide further details on his role.
Bergen did not respond to requests for comment, and neither the city nor Mayor Greg Dionne’s office provided any remarks.
Carriere expressed regret over Bergen’s departure, stating, “He was a good, decent human being, and unfortunately things turned out as they did.” She acknowledged that while the association was dissatisfied with Bergen, efforts were made to address the issues.
The death of the toddler continues to affect the commission, Carriere said. “The relationship with the association is improving, but there is still much work to be done.”
Following the toddler's death and three in-custody deaths in Prince Albert in 2021, the province initiated an independent inquiry into the police force. The province released the inquiry’s recommendations in July 2023 but withheld the full report.
Carter emphasized that members deserve access to the entire report, which Indigenous leaders also advocate for public release. “Our membership is seeking closure, as this was a very troubling time for both members and the service,” Carter said.
A spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Policing Ministry stated that the full report will not be released due to the inclusion of personal, sensitive, and confidential information. The report’s 45 recommendations include calls for a comprehensive policy review and the development of a code of conduct for officer discipline.
